Smart Climate Policy: The Basics

Electric companies use a variety of fuels to generate electricity—coal, nuclear energy, natural gas, hydropower and other renewables, and, to a much lesser extent, fuel oil.

Fuel diversity is smart. It helps protect against fuel shortages or disruptions, price fluctuations, and changes in how utilities are regulated. It also enhances national security.

Touch the segments on the chart to learn more about the fuels used to generate electricity.

Current National Fuel Mix

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*"Non-Hydro Renewables and Other" includes generation from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass (agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, landfill gas recovery, wood, pitch), hydrogen, batteries, chemicals, non-wood waste, purchased steam, sulfur and miscellaneous technologies.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (EIA).Chart reflects fuel mix in 2008.

Different Regions Use Different Fuels

Electric generation fuel mixes vary from state to state and region to region, depending upon the availability and cost of fuels located there.

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*"Non-Hydro Renewables and Other" includes generation from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass (agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, landfill gas recovery, wood, pitch), hydrogen, batteries, chemicals, non-wood waste, purchased steam, sulfur, and miscellaneous technologies.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Power Plant Report (EIA-920), Combined Heat and Power Plant Report (EIA-920), and Electric Power Monthly (2006 Preliminary).

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